What was that bird I saw
Aug 19th, 2008 by Birdy Trish
Over the last two or three days I’ve seen a bird I don’t really recognise.
Maybe I should recognise it.
It is not a young starling. It is not a blackbird. It could be a type of thrush.
It has ‘whitish’ markings on its wings when it is perched on the fencce.
It’s lower breast is dark with white spots.
It seems larger than a thrush.
Has anyone any ideas.
Hi Trish
I think the bird you saw was a “Fieldfare”.
The male has blue-grey crown, nape, and rump; chestnut brown back; black tail; and a buff breast with black streaks that also extends to the flanks. The underwing, especially the “armpit”, is white, and it is this and the pale grey rump that are most noticeable when in flight.
Not got a picture but feel fairly sure that is what it will be.
Usually a winter visitor from Scandinavia but what sort of Summer have we had?
Hope this helps solve the mystery.
Andy.
I was going to suggest just what Andy said.
You can find a picture at
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/f/fieldfare/index.asp
John
Hi, I’ve never seen a Fieldfare before. Thanks for the help. It could be a Fieldfair by the description and the photo. the only problem I have with that is that the speckles were at the bottom of it’s chest, near it’s legs. The upper part of it’s chest was plain. Mmmmm. I’m going to keep my camera near the window.
I have said before that I sometimes get female blackbirds and different types of thrushes mixed up so I’m glad of the help. I know I’ve never seen this bird before because I would have noticed it.
When I keep my camera in the kitchen the birds often stay away. When there is something unusual I can guarantee I’ve put the camera away!!
The problem with pictures of birds is that many are drawings where the colours are too vivid and there is such a lot of variation in some birds. There is one starling here which is nearly all inky black and another with lots of grey.
John
Hi John, It’s intereting that there is a lot of variation in some birds. It explains a lot!
I’m beginning to think that maybe I’ve had two different birds at my feeder. The one I saw on the fence really looked a thrush type. It’s face did not look at all like the starling in your photo. And It’s tail was up and it just looked like a thrush.
I now wonder if the two birds I saw at my feeders and took a photo of could have been different to the one I saw on my fence. I hope I haven’t confused anyone. Anyway I’ve learnt a lot through this - I’m comparing two birds and now know other people find it hard sometimes to tell the difference. I’ve found it all really interesting. I’ll never know. But I keep a look out every day and I keep my camera handy. I will keep you posted. Trisha